Reviving the tourism industry – we start at home

As businesses have been majorly affected, it is worth noting the most affected which is the hospitality and tourism industry. 

There has always been the notion that tourism is for the foreign visitors. Staff at high end hotels do not appreciate local tourists unless one is a renown figure. I remember one time when I visited a high end hotel. It was the weekend around 3pm. I got to the gate and instead of welcoming me, the guards questioned where I was headed. The tone was not at all friendly. I told them I was headed to the hotel to meet a friend, then they let me in. I am just wondering, had it been a foreign person, would they have questioned them or simply welcomed them with all due respect. 

As things are, domestic tourism is now more than ever appreciated as it will now play a huge role in the revival of the industry. That is definitely the way to go. I think there are many locals who would love to explore their country. Local hospitality companies are embracing this and I look forward to exploring once again, while also following the covid-19 travel measures.

Here’s a tweet by someone I admire (she’s a Kenyan travel fanatic who organizes girls trips);

I look forward to working with local tourist companies and the hospitality industry in general. As usual, for a collaboration, email themkare@gmail.com